Weekly Health Tips

Too Much Sugar May Harm Brain

Posted: 10.25.2013

Sugar, in the form of glucose, is a fuel for the brain, but too much of it may raise the risk of mild cognitive impairment. A Mayo Clinic study analyzed the eating habits of nearly 1,000 elderly adults who, at the start of the trial, were without cognitive problems. By year four of the study, those with the highest intake of carbohydrates and sugar were almost twice as likely to develop problems with memory, speech, thought and judgement. "High levels of sugar may actually prevent the brain from using the sugar... similar to what we see with type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Rosebud Roberts, the author of the study.